When it comes to herbal medicine, doctors and patients often share similar reservations. Among them is a question about the utility of natural remedies in a real world setting. They frequently doubt that the positive results found in animal and in-vitro (“test tube”) experiments will hold true in human subjects. Another area of skepticism has to do with the breadth of activity that many dietary supplements claim to possess. For instance, how is it possible that an herbal extract can improve seemingly disparate health conditions? It might surprise you to know that I sympathize with both of these points of view, but only up to a point. When there’s evidence that some natural remedies do, in fact, benefit human beings and support a variety of systems in the body, that data needs to be reckoned with and acknowledged. Read more »

What is the one thing that attracts and repels people and situations into your life? To my mind, it’s how you view the world. It’s absolutely vital to understand how you really feel about the important issues of life. But from that point on, the decisions you make become even more interesting. Will you choose to surround yourself with people and places that wholeheartedly agree with your outlook? Or, will you invite in other points of view that challenge your philosophical notions? From my perspective, the latter and more difficult of the two options is probably the better way to go. Maybe that’s why I like Twitter so much. Read more »

I recently received an e-mail from a reader who inquired about the scientific evidence surrounding a popular homeopathic remedy known as Arnica montana. In order to answer this inquiry, I first need to address the issue of homeopathy in general. Homeopathy is a controversial holistic treatment that centers around the theory that “like cures like” – an admittedly unconventional view. Homeopathic remedies are also fodder for vigorous debate in the scientific community because they contain extremely diluted amounts of medicinal elements. In essence, the underpinning theory is that the lower the dosage, the more potent the effect. This claim goes against the generally accepted laws of chemistry and physics. Nevertheless, many consumers and select physicians are stalwart supporters of this esoteric practice. Read more »

Today I want to discuss a very special kind of pharmacy. It’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It doesn’t close for holidays and the staff is always on call. One of the best features of the place is that all medications in stock are 100% natural and entirely compatible with your individual physiology. I know what you may thinking: “This place sounds very expensive”. Or perhaps: “My doctor or health insurance company never works with these ‘holistic-type’ facilities”. Fortunately for us all, none of these concerns apply here. Read more »

Information is one of the greatest assets if you want to be a good conversationalist. This is especially true of dialogues that involve health and nutrition. The more you know about such topics the more interesting the conversations will be for all involved. Let’s take today’s topic as an example – coffee. Many physicians continue to promote the idea that coffee should generally be avoided or at least used sparingly. The basis for this position varies widely, but it often involves a proposed risk to the cardiovascular system and the possibility of adverse effects on sleep quality. In recent years, some other medical authorities have adopted an alternate point of view and crowned coffee as a healthy elixir. Listening to physicians on both sides of the coffee debate can be quite interesting. But actually taking part in that kind of exchange is very different situation. Read more »

A reader recently inquired about an holistic practice commonly referred to as “earthing” or “grounding”. The question was a like a portal to my past. I was first exposed to the concepts behind this therapy when I studied holistic medicine in Arizona many years ago. In essence, grounding is, supposedly, a therapeutic process by which you connect with the earth. A popular theory behind its reputed healing power is that electrons present in the earth’s surface can be passed on to physical bodies when a person walks barefoot or sleeps on the natural ground. An expert in the field of earthing, Dr. James L. Oschman, describes the exchange in this way, “The most reasonable hypothesis to explain the beneficial effects of earthing is that a direct earth connection enables both diurnal (daily) electrical rhythms and free electrons to flow from the earth to the body”. Hypothesis and proposed mechanisms are helpful as far as they go. But the real question in my mind is whether there’s any serious science that supports these assertions and the many claims made by purveyors of grounding products. Read more »

Vitamins are a lot like movie stars. At certain points in their careers they experience hot streaks where they’re considered exciting and glamorous. During those periods they’re frequently in the news and are top draws at the box office and health food stores. You’ll see commercials promoting their products and you might even hear occasional gossip about them around the neighborhood. “Did you hear that Russell Crowe punched out his acting coach on the set of Gladiator?!”. “It turns out that Nancy didn’t have ‘work done’. She’s just been using that new Vitamin C skin cream sold by that doctor on PBS.” But inevitably, almost all celebrities and nutrients also discover the flip side of fame. Critics and scientists stop singing their praises and people stop buying their wares. It’s a tough time to go through, but it also affords the possibility of a comeback. Read more »

When we go out with a group of friends, something kind of amusing often happens. During the course of the afternoon or evening, someone will pull me aside and bring up a health issue that they’ve read about or seen covered on the local news. “So what’s this I hear about coffee ‘curing’ diabetes?” “Is it okay to cook with extra virgin olive oil or should I just use it in salads?” “What’s the big deal about gluten?”. I love fielding these questions because it tests my knowledge and gives me a better idea of what kind of information is being spread over various media outlets. Read more »

Almost every piece of complicated machinery comes with an instruction manual. Without the proper directions it requires much more time and patience to figure out exactly how to use a new car, computer or TV. Using trial and error may be an appealing option to some, but can also lead to miscalculations which can damage new gadgets or, perhaps, even pose a safety risk. I don’t know about you, but I can’t find the the owner’s manual for my brain anywhere. I’m probably not the only one because scientists from around the world are constantly trying to give humans advice about how to optimize mental performance.
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Osteoarthritis (OA) is a very common consequence of aging in the modern world. On average, we’re living longer than ever and our joints are taking their fair share of the burden as a result. There are many conventional treatments for dealing with the impaired mobility and pain associated with this condition. However, many of us would prefer to avoid taking medications or resorting to surgical procedures unless it’s the only remaining option. In the field of natural medicine field, there are several well known alternatives for OA. The most familiar names are probably glucosamine and chondroitin. This duo is often effective in managing the symptoms of OA and perhaps even in slowing its progression. But they don’t work for everyone. Fortunately, the natural health industry is much like its pharmaceutical counterpart in that it’s always looking for new choices for consumers. Read more »

Many doctors and nutritionists have long held the view that eating more fruits and vegetables is key to maintaining a healthy weight. Sometimes there’s some disagreement about what kinds of plant foods best serve this purpose. But ultimately, there is a general consensus that this is a positive step we can take towards combating obesity. It’s been widely assumed that fruits and veggies largely replace less nutritious foods in the average diet. This is frequently the case. However, recent scientific developments help explain exactly why plant-based foods have a fat fighting effect. This additional knowledge may provide a renewed incentive for eating more natural, whole foods. Read more »

It happens at different times of the year. I’m talking about that itchiness in your throat, the stuffy nose and sneezing that are brought about by seasonal allergies. Another term for this is nuisance is allergic rhinitis. But whatever you choose to call it, it’s a real hassle to deal with. There are medications that help with all of these symptoms, but they sometimes bring about unwanted effects of their own. You may be surprised to learn that there’s an underutilized, natural food/nutritional supplement that could be a viable alternative to over-the-counter and prescription allergy medications. The substance I’m referring to is spirulina, a type of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Read more »

Natural medicines are much like people. They’re complicated and they respond in vastly different ways depending on the given circumstances. In the case of herbal remedies, the issues of how a plant is grown, the extraction method by which the “active ingredients” are attained and the dosage administration can very easily be the deciding factors that determine its therapeutic potential. But there’s an important consideration beyond efficacy that should always be kept in mind – safety. The fact that something is naturally derived does not necessarily guarantee that it’s harmless. A recent study conducted on Tripterygium wilfordii (Thunder God Vine) provides an excellent example of the complexity involved in researching and selecting the best holistic options. Read more »

Sometimes we need to look back to the distant past in order to create a better future. This certainly seems to be the case in terms of dietary choices. A relatively unpublicized, but growing body of research is telling us that so called “primal eating” may be healthier than the most common diets adopted by modern man. It’s hard for some people to accept that “cave men” could possibly have figured out a better way of eating than modern nutritionists and physicians. But as is often the case, it’s not simply a matter of intellect or lack thereof. Rather, it’s an issue of man respecting the laws of nature. If we can manage to combine the intrinsic knowledge of our predecessors with the discoveries of 21st century science, then we can truly benefit from the best of both worlds. Read more »

Occasional aches and pains are an expected part of life. But sometimes these discomforts take a while to heal. In the meantime, life goes on. Modern medicine has addressed this common problem by offering many over-the-counter pain remedies, which can be quite effective. The trouble is that even non-prescriptive medications may not be suitable for everyone. Fortunately, there is a scientifically validated, natural remedy that offers a safe and effective alternative to these drugs.
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The days are getting cooler and the nights are getting downright cold. So, this is the perfect time to adopt the healthy habit of drinking a soothing, warming cup of tea every day. And modern science is giving us more reasons than ever to brew up this hot cup of healing.

Of all the teas known to man, green tea is arguably the favorite among herbalists and scientists alike. The reason for this is because of its long history of medicinal use and its recent history as a scientifically proven superstar.

I want to draw your attention to some recent findings that just might encourage you to try some tea, even if you think you don’t like tea!

The Good News About Green Tea

• A study published in November of 2008 showed that green tea lowered blood pressure and LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol), decreased inflammation and also reduced oxidation in the body (which may slow the aging process). The amazing thing is that it accomplished all this in as short as three weeks.
• Another recent study in the journal Obesity, found that a green tea beverage helped to promote weight loss in type 2 diabetics. This tea drink also helped improve insulin secretion and assisted in the maintainance of a low hemoglobin A(1c) level. These are both extremely desirable results.

It’s important to note that type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest growing diseases in the world. Drinking green tea regularly may help to stem that trend. And, it’s especially likely to do so if we can replace sugary drinks with this health promoting tea.

• Another important revelation about green tea can be found in the journal, Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention. In November, they published a study that found that high green tea consumption could lower the risk of colorectal adenomas by more than half. Colorectal adenomas are pre-cancerous growths that are generally removed for fear that they will develop into colon cancer.

For many people, one of the obstacles to drinking tea is that taste. But, there’s a natural and healthy way to get around that roadblock. All you have to do is brew the green tea with another type of tea that you enjoy. A few of my personal favorites include ginger tea and peppermint tea. The reasons why I use these particular teas are two-fold:

1. I like the taste and they effectively mask the natural flavor of the green tea.
2. They possess medicinal properties of their own. I’ll share some of that information below.

One other brief note: It’s wise to brew your green tea gently and for a short period of time (usually less than five minutes). If you “overbrew” your green tea, it will likely become bitter. Also, if you’d like to add a little no-calorie sweetness to your tea, simply sprinkle a very small amount of stevia to the mix.

The Good News About Ginger and Peppermint Tea

• Ginger tea is proven heart tonic. A study in September of ’08 found that it effectively reduced LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• Peppermint tea is a traditional remedy for the digestive system. In recent years, it’s even been shown to help those suffering from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

To summarize: If you drink tea, good for you. Keep on enjoying it. If you don’t drink tea, please consider giving it a shot. Try the tips I’ve offered. They may just make drinking tea an enjoyable, as well as a healthful experience.

Here are the links to the studies I referenced:

Green Tea vs. Heart Disease

Green Tea vs. Colorectal Cancer

Green Tea vs. Diabetes

Ginger and Cholesterol

Peppermint Tea for Health

Be well!

JP